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Servientrega update

Yes..I know, an old topic, but some of us do use this site for information rather than for airing grievances and playing cultural or intellectual one-up.

Sent a package to Servientrega in Austin, where I spoke, in English, with Cesar. I sent a package from Dallas to Austin via DHL, and Cesar sent it to Miami, then it went on to Medellin. And yes, I know I paid Cesar just to send it from Austin to Miami for probably an extra $25, but a) he speaks very good english b) he actually answers the phone, unlike Miami, c) is extremely helpful, and d) lives close enough I might be able to find him in case my package mysteriously disappeared :). I sent the package Thursday and it arrived in Medellin the next Wednesday. The delivery charge was $45, I paid the taxes of 28.5% based on my reasonably honest valuation so it was $111 to get it there, but it got there. Only complaint was I wanted the package to go to the office on Calle 33 in Belen and have it held there for pickup but it went to the recipient's address when she was not home, so she had to go to Poblado to get it. Not much different than here if Fedex tries to deliver something and can't. BTW my package was a box abt 6x6x4, less than 2 lbs so there was a minimum delivery charge of the $45. I had been quoted $18 by another forwarding agency in Houston, hence my $25 Cesar surcharge estimate. You get what you pay for on occasion.

Cesar Irriarte
5766 Balcones Drive
Austin Texas 78731
512-736-3002

Call him and he will tell you exactly what to do.

By tlextoo on Apr 11, 2008, 08:13 in Friendly Talkzone.

jonas says on Apr 11, 2008, 08:31:

that´s a lot of dough for a little package....

Simon Presidente!

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Saltador says on Apr 11, 2008, 08:37:

That's what I was thinking.

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guacharaca says on Apr 11, 2008, 08:59:

I spent that kind of dough for only an envelope from rural Canada to S.M. with fed-ex. I think he did as well as he could do, short of having a friend carry it, on-board, for him.

Colombianos: Las armas os han dado independencia, las leyes os daran libertad. (Santander)

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Apr 11, 2008, 09:06:

The 'minimum delivery charge' for the Miami to Medellin portion of the trip was $45 (I'm excluding Texas to Miami and the taxes)? Is that correct? If so, for a two pound package that sounds like a lot. I've used them before (it's been a while) and I thought they were roughly $10 for the first pound and $2.50 to $3.00 a pound thereafter. Did you pay extra for insurance and the $5 to $10 premium for home delivery?

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tlextoo says on Apr 11, 2008, 09:33:

Wasn't seeking opinions but giving information for anyone who might want to use the same guy, and I did put in the caveat of yes, I know I likely got hosed on the price. My point was, I wanted it to get there, it got there in relatively short order. I did not have to pay $115 or whatever to Fedex and THEN have them hit her up for taxes on the other end. I tried calling Miami, and they did not answer the phone. If someone wants to use someone who is responsive and helpful, they can use him....... if not, try another way. there are many posts here about using different services, some on the cheaper side, and they end up dissatisfied.

And, included in the $111 was the $45 Austin to Medellin charge, $56 tax I imputed, and $10 insurance, which he told me was unnecessary cause It would not be lost, but I did it anyway. No home delivery fee. When I tracked the package and the Estado era Entrega Verificada and she had not received anything, I called him, he called Colombia to check on it. Turns out they had tried to deliver and she was not home, and later left a message for her. So, as I stated, maybe I got hosed for $25-$30, but it was worth it to me to pick up the phone and have an advocate on my end.

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billyb says on Apr 11, 2008, 09:36:

A little touchy, are we?

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miamimike says on Apr 11, 2008, 10:08:

WOW,Sounds like Mucha Moola! I would have sent it US Parcel post Dallas-Houston for probably $10 or so and then here in Miami I would have used Servientrega or a neigborhood shipper and the charge would have been $15-$25 depending on which of the two shippers I would have used. They do Door to door guarenteed delivery in 3-4 days. I haven't heard of anyone here in Miami or PBH who used Servientrega who is disatisfied with delivery or price. Also there is Avianca Air Express(avianca is pretty good for non human non breathing type crates/ boxes.LOL) who does door to door guarenteed delivery and or you can elect to pick it up at one of their offices in most Large Col cities, Bogota BQA ect

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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bopenyan says on Apr 11, 2008, 10:41:

It may be costly but at least it is reliable. I relied on Canada Post to send a letter by airmail - it reached Cali one month after I had posted it.

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tlextoo says on Apr 11, 2008, 11:12:

oh miamimike......hello, wake up and smell the dissatisfied customer here, plus the lack of english speakers, and my frustration and general distrust of anyone who WON'T ANSWER A FREAKING PHONE...http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/post/sending-to-colombia--other-than-servientrega/

so...you take your $15-$25 and deduct from the $45 I paid, and you have the amount I paid for the guy who always answered the phone and did follow up with me when problems arose.....the taxes are a push since he didn't tell me how much to value the contents at, and I made the decision on the insurance....and I sent it DHL for $18, again...my decision.

I think I am wasting my keystrokes here except for a few that actually get my point.

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miamimike says on Apr 11, 2008, 11:20:

You could have used Avianca Air Express also-they always answer the Phhone and are bilingual. Give them a try next time. BTW, on your comment "Lack of English speakers" Out of Curiosity, what do you do when visiting Colombia and are trying to order a meal or trying to tell a Taxi driver where you want to go? No English speakers there either, how do you get your point across?

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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arthur brode says on Apr 11, 2008, 11:27:

or trying to tell a Taxi driver where you want to go?
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maybey all he says is "CHICA" and the taxi driver knows exactly where to take him lol

http://www.calirentals.net/

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poco says on Apr 11, 2008, 11:38:

Quote: I think I am wasting my keystrokes here except for a few that actually get my point.

Cheer up, you are lucky anyone got your point.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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tlextoo says on Apr 11, 2008, 11:49:

Actually. I know this may bring down the rain of 'oh, you haven't been yet so you are mere pond scum' but truth is, I have not, and when I do it will not be to go generally to 'chicas'. I love the latin culture and am intelligent enough when I visit another country, to be a good ambassador for the US. When I go to Mexico to visit the family of my wife, I do my best to get my point across, as I do here in Dallas when I go to taquerias o carnecerias, or when I am with my buen amigos caleñas that live here. We muddle through and we make it. I had no problem telling the one taxi driver in San Luis Potosi late one night that he could either take my $10 US that he was turning up his nose at, or he could give me the ride gratis (and no, I don't expect all countries to accept my (formerly) precious US dolIars rather than their currency, I just happended to have only one $10 bill) However, I have dealt directly with two companies directly, one in Bogota and one in Medellin, when I was trying to have something delivered, I never left a call knowing that they knew and understood what I wanted. Talking about tacos and talking about more valuable items are....I don't need to state the obvious. More than the language issue with the guy I used was the rapport that I had, so I felt like he actually gave a that my package got there.

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miamimike says on Apr 11, 2008, 11:51:

poco says on Friday April 11th, 2008 11:38:

Quote: I think I am wasting my keystrokes here except for a few that actually get my point.

Cheer up, you are lucky anyone got your point.
--------------------------------------

LOL

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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tlextoo says on Apr 11, 2008, 11:53:

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Cheers Terry says on Apr 11, 2008, 12:10:

Expensive, but sometimes it is what it is...

FedEx has royally screwed me a couple of times between Canada and Colombia. I'm new to this so I'm still exploring my options.

Glad to hear your tale.

Cheers,
Terry

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arthur brode says on Apr 11, 2008, 12:39:

I had no problem telling the one taxi driver in San Luis Potosi late one night that he could either take my $10 US that he was turning up his nose at, or he could give me the ride gratis
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tlextoo,just out of curiosity.how much was the cabfare in pesos?do you realize that it is time cosuming for the taxi driver to exchange them $10? or do you even give a fok?would you expect a taxi driver in the U.S. to accept Colombian Pesos?i think if you offered to pay cabfare in the U.S. with Colombian pesos the taxi driver would drive you straight to the police.

http://www.calirentals.net/

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tlextoo says on Apr 11, 2008, 13:26:

Well, lets see, it was normally about a $4 fare to points further, which at the time, I was using 10 to 1 in my calculation, so it would have been about 40 pesos. He hit me up for 100 pesos, and I realized I was getting *fooked, so the fact that he had to go out of his way a bit to exchange my $10 for his 100 pesos, nope, didn't fooking concern me at all. Any other questions?

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billyb says on Apr 11, 2008, 16:08:

I just love angry newbies.

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arthur brode says on Apr 11, 2008, 20:51:

yes,one more question
since you have your guitar handy.will you do "Eruption"by Eddie Van Halen?

http://www.calirentals.net/

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Aaron21 says on Apr 11, 2008, 21:03:

Leave him alone... carajo.

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tlextoo says on Apr 11, 2008, 23:52:

yes,one more question
since you have your guitar handy.will you do "Eruption"by Eddie Van Halen?

So flattered you took time to look at my picture. And a bit nervous too.

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arthur brode says on Apr 12, 2008, 06:22:

dont worry,iam not going to try any funny stuff with your pic

http://www.calirentals.net/

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arthur brode says on Apr 12, 2008, 08:12:

btw,you spent $111 with sevientrega!?!

it would have cost you $30(that includes tax) to send that same package(10 pounds or less) with J.J.Logistics in Miami.and they would have delivered it to her door in Medellin or wherever the recipient happened to be at the time of delivey.if the recipient was grocery shopping at the time of delivery J.J. would have called her on her cell phone to find out where she was at and deliver the package right there at the grocery store.she could have paid the delivey bill in pesos or you could have sent the $30 directly to J.J. in Miami along with the package,recipients address and home/cell number.

J.J.Logistics
5525 NW 72 Ave.
Miami,Fl.33166
tel.305-805-8300

http://www.calirentals.net/

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miamimike says on Apr 12, 2008, 08:47:

AB-I used JJ Logistics years back with good results. They are located right in that same west airport area in Miami as Avianca Air Xpress, Servi and other freight forwarders to the Americas.

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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tlextoo says on Apr 12, 2008, 11:07:

Just to be clear, the $30 includes the impuestos that I keep reading about? Or is that 28% incorrect? I valued the contents at $200, admittedly hedging a bit. I also used servi because there is an office like a block away from her apt in belen but when she wasn't there at delivery time it went to poblado. Lesson learned but ill get over it. The package arrived, but good to know for next time.

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tlextoo says on Apr 12, 2008, 11:07:

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tlextoo says on Apr 12, 2008, 11:07:

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tlextoo says on Apr 12, 2008, 11:08:

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tlextoo says on Apr 12, 2008, 11:08:

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arthur brode says on Apr 12, 2008, 11:22:

yes,its a $30 flat rate for 10 pounds or less with J.J.(includes tax=impuestos)
anything over 10 pounds is like $2.50/pound or 13,000 pesos per kilo (includes tax=impuestos)

next time you want to give $80 away let me know:)

http://www.calirentals.net/

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poco says on Apr 12, 2008, 11:59:

Quote: yes,its a $30 flat rate for 10 pounds or less with J.J.(includes tax=impuestos)
anything over 10 pounds is like $2.50/pound or 13,000 pesos per kilo (includes tax=impuestos)
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Damn,, now I'm confused,, I'd read all this again,, but it seems that if I sent a package valued at $1,000,, paid 25% tax,, well,, that alone is $250.

So a flat rate includes taxes?

edit: OK,, forget the value,, could be papers,, say it contains a gold plated watch.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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arthur brode says on Apr 12, 2008, 12:12:

for the THIRD time!!
yes,its $30 to ship 10 pounds or less with J.J.
no fokin taxes/impuestos!!

http://www.calirentals.net/

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poco says on Apr 12, 2008, 12:20:

Quote: for the THIRD time!!
yes,its $30 to ship 10 pounds or less with J.J.
no fokin taxes/impuestos!!
===========================
See,, I told you I didn't read every post,, but still,, it certainly looks like it says (INCLUDES TAX=IMPUESTOS)
===============
Quote: Quote: yes,its a $30 flat rate for 10 pounds or less with J.J.(includes tax=impuestos)
==================

OK,, so,, does it include a minimum value? USPS priority mail has $100 worth of insurance?

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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tlextoo says on Apr 12, 2008, 12:21:

Well, arthur, your communication skills leave a little to the imagination, so don't get too frothy here.

Quote: it would have cost you $30(that includes tax)

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poco says on Apr 12, 2008, 12:28:

Quote: Well, arthur, your communication skills leave a little to the imagination, so don't get too frothy here.
=============
Oh, crap,, appears I'll need to become kinder and gentler. Crap,, my ass is starting to sweat and stick to the damn fake leather chair.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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arthur brode says on Apr 12, 2008, 12:37:

you know what.why dont you guys call and find out for yourselves.or are you too cheap to make the phone call to Miami?? you just lost $80 a few more cents on a phone call isnt going to kill you,is it?

http://www.calirentals.net/

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poco says on Apr 12, 2008, 12:57:

Quote: you know what.why dont you guys call and find out for yourselves.or are you too cheap to make the phone call to Miami??
==============

That's asking toooooooooo much. Honestly,, when most things can be found on the internet,, like the Colombian Embassy for visa information,, really,, everything you need to know,, then,, if something isn't clear,, cut it out, paste it and state the problem. I don't think this has ever been done?
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Your idea about a phone call,, ha,, that'll never happen. Well,, I do it,, last time was when someone said Jiff Crunchy was available,,, ha,, no information,,, plus the poster didn't seem to be aware Peanut Butter had been available in Colombia for,, what,, forever.

Anyway,, I called the Jiff Brand corporate offices,,(I looked it up on the internet) asked for the international group and found out they had indeed started distribution in Colombia about 6 months ago,, even gave me a list of stores.

Then of course,, I waited for a stupid post (this is like fishing) and I was not disappointed.

Yep,, a PHB fishing trip,, cast your bait and see who you catch on the hook. I had a few that not only took the bait but I had to throw them back a dozen times.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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tlextoo says on Apr 12, 2008, 13:29:

yepppp and occasionally you catch an a**hole on the line. that is never more evident than is this case. this is like one dysfunctional family.

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george jung says on Apr 12, 2008, 17:58:

Don't lump all of us as a family,some of them are in a \/ class by themselves

"Men and fish are alot alike, when they open their mouths, they both get in trouble"

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arthur brode says on Apr 12, 2008, 20:32:

tlextoo,Eddie says "stop posing and lose that guitar"!

http://www.calirentals.net/

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tlextoo says on Apr 13, 2008, 00:40:

Love that ignore option. It's just like the person never fookin existed in my world.

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